Thank You Governor Gina Raimondo

From: Gina Raimondo

Enough.
I’ve cried enough.
I’ve prayed enough.
I’ve had enough.
It’s time to listen to our kids.
I first heard about the shooting at in Parkland as I was walking into St. Raymond’s to get my ashes. I prayed for the victims, for their families, and for our nation. I prayed that we might also finally come together and do something about guns. After all, Scripture has taught me that grace is earned not by faith alone, but with faith and action.

Rhode Island has some of the nation’s strongest gun laws, and last year we made them stronger when I signed a law that takes guns away from abusers. If you beat your spouse or your kid, you forfeit your right to a firearm.

But even though we have some of the nation’s strongest gun laws, our nation’s laws are among the weakest in the world. We need to do more to prevent the kind of tragedy in Parkland that has sadly become far too common. In Rhode Island, it’s still legal to buy a military style assault weapon. It’s still legal to buy high capacity magazines. It’s still legal to carry a firearm into state buildings and schools. You can buy ammunition without a background check.

At this moment in time, we need to listen to the children from Parkland and our own kids. Watching them stand up and speak out gives me hope for our future.

But it’s on us to make sure that the future is there for them. I’m going to put the full weight of my office and use my bully pulpit as Governor to fight for gun reform. Military style weapons belong in the military, not in our communities. Our teachers need basic supplies, not a firearm. And no one needs to be able to fire off ten rounds of bullets in mere nanoseconds.

We’re going to do our part in Rhode Island. But we also need national gun reform. As a governor, as a mom and as a person of deeply rooted faith, I’ve had enough. I had had enough after Sandy Hook. Without action, the thoughts and prayers from our leaders in Washington ring hollow.

Let’s protect Rhode Islanders and send a signal to the rest of the country that it is possible to fight the NRA and win.

Thank you.
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI, 02903
www.governor.ri.gov